Machine for molding tubes from pulp



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

H. J. MEDBERY. MACHINE FOR MOLDING TUBES FROM PULP. No. 437,497.

Paten1;6d Sept. 30, 1890.

1V VEN TOR WITNESSES ATTORNEY me NORRIS PETERS 20., PHOTO-LIYMO., wAsnmmou, w. c.

3 Sheets-Sheet '2.

Patented Sept. 30.

ouoooo 000 o o o o o o o o o O O 0 o a o o u 0 a a o o o o o o o o o o o o o a o (No Model.)

H. J. MEDBERY. MACHINE FOR MOLDING TUBES FROM PULP.

N A m (N0M0del.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

H. J. MEDBERY. MACHINE FOR MOLDING TUBES FROM PULP. No. 437,497. Patented Sept. 30, 1890.

{fl/IZNTOR ATTORNEY O 1 Yii V Illl'ulllll UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE J. MEDBERY, OF MECHANICSVILLE, ASSIGNOR TO STEPHEN C.

MEDBERY, OF BALLSTON SPA, NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR MOLDING TUBES FROM PULP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,497, dated September 30, 1890.

Application filed -Tanuary 15, 1889. Serial No. 296,416. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HORACE J. MEDBERY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Mechanicsville, in the county of Saratoga and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Ma.- chines for Molding Tubes from Pulp, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for making seamless tubes, pipes, or other analogous articles from paper, wood, or other equivalent pulp, which may be of a uniform diameter throughout or tapering, as desired; and it consists in the peculiar construction and combination of parts adapted to form such tubes or pipes, as hereinafter described and claimed, said invention embodying improvements on the invention set forth in my United States Letters Patent, dated January 15, 1889, numbered 396,103.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine embodying myimprovements, the former upon which the pipe is made and the lifting devices whereby it is lifted into the molding-cylinder being shown nearly at their lowest position, which position permits the former to be turned down horizontally, as shown in dotted lines, when freed from the moldingcylinder, the said figure showing also in dotted lines the elevated position of the lifter and its attached parts, as when the former is fully telescoped into the moldingcylinder. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the lifter or elevator and the rod hinged thereto which engages with the lower end of the former. Fig.3 is a sectional view of the upper part of the molding-cylinder and coactin g parts with the former in position therein, some of the details being omitted. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the lower part of the molding-cylinder with the former inserted and locked to thebottom of the molding-cylinder. Fig. 5 is a crosssection looking toward the upper end "of the former. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a part of the former with its different coverings partly removed, showing the construction of the same. Fig. 7 is aview of the locking device or ring which is located at the lower end of the former.

The object of my invention is to construct an apparatus whereby tubes or pipes, irrespective of their diameter or length, may be made from paper-pulp, wood pulp, or other suitable pulp by the aid of hydraulic pressure, the fibers of the pulp being pressed into tubular or pipe form by pressure applied substantially at right angles to the resistance, whereby the strength of the resulting product is greatly increased.

In the drawings, A is a molding-cylinder within which the pipe is formed.

B is aformer upon which the pipe is formed. The former B is removable from the cylinder A for the purpose of removing the pipe when made from it.

C is a hydraulic cylinder. The water is forced into it through the pipe D and drawn off through the pipe E.

F is a plunger which is caused to rise through the packed end of the cylinder 0 upon the'infiow of water through pipe D, as now well understood.

G is a cross-head attached to the upper end of the plunger F, to which are attached lifting-rods H H, which at their lower ends are attached to a sliding lifter I. This lifter encircles the cylinder O, andis bifurcated at its end, as seen at I I, Fig. 2. In the bifurcated end rests a hollow connecting-link J, which rocks on the cross-bolt K.

- Referring now to Fig. 4:, the link J is threaded at its lower end into a block L, which has bolted or screwed to its upper face another block M, and into the upper surface of the block M the former B is threaded, as shown,

there being, preferably, a packing-ring N, of rubber or other suitable material, between their meeting surfaces. There is an aperture 0 extending through the bottom of the former B through the block M and block L, connecting with the hollow link .I, whereby the water expressed from the pulp, as hereinafter exv it or an elastic section, as preferred, whereby the swinging of the formerB from avertical position. parts U of this ring S or ofth hooks 72 inder exteriorly of the bag B.

to'a horizontal position may be effected without difficulty and withoutfracture of the said parts. At the upper end of this cavity P there is a series of openings R, which open into the space between the water-tight bag, hereinafter to be described, and the exterior of the former B.

Sis a locking-ring. (Shown in plan in Fig. 7.) It is held in a recess in the periphery of the plate L by a holding-ring T screwed or bolted thereto. This locking-rin g is provided with four (more or less) ca1n-surfaces U U U U, (see Figs.& and 7,) and it also has a handle or lever V, whereby it may be turned, rotatingin the recess before described.

W is the base of the molding-cylinder, which is bolted to another plate W, which supports also the upper end of the hydraulic cylinder 0. (See Fig. 1.) To the under side of this plate W are attached by bolts or by being cast therewith, as preferred, four downwardlyprojecting hooks NW, which engage with the locking-ring S when the parts are in coactive The engaging faces of the lockingboth of them, if desired,are out upon a bevel, so as to present cam-like surfaces, whereby the former and its coacting parts will be held firmly in place by the pressure against the base-plate IV of the machine when in operation.

A is an annular ring, which is supported by the lower end of the molding-cylinder.

B is a water-tight expansible bag, which extends from the bottom to the top of the molding-cylinder. Its lower part is flanged outwardly, passing over the inwardly-presented edge of the ring A, and is clamped between the plates WV and WV, being firmly held thereby, and the upper'end of this bag (see Fig. 3) is in like manner flanged outwardly, its edge being clamped firmly between a flange O on the upper end of the molding-cylinder and a plate D, which closes the end of the cylinder.

E is an annular recess at the lower part of the molding-cylinder, which is covered by astrong perforated brass or other metal shield F.

G is the water-outlet from the molding-cyl- It .connects with the annular recess E, and is provided with a cock (not shown) whereby. it may be closed.

H is a guide-rod fastened centrally to the plate D and having at its upper end a downwardly-presented conical portion I which in I the operation of the apparatus partially enters a hole in the end of the former B, as hereinafter explained. Its attachment to the plate D may be made adjustable, if desired.- J is a stop-cock placed in the pulp-inlet pipe Q, which may be turned'shut to prevent the backward passage of the pulp when the hydraulic pressure is applied, as hereinafter set forth.

H is a pipe for the supply of Water under Reference will now be made to thedetailsof the construction of the former B, having special reference to Figs. 4, 5, and 6. It is a hollow tube, preferably, although not necessarily, cylindrical in shape, and for the purposes of more easily removing the pipe made upon it I sometimes prefer that it should be very slightly tapering from its base toward its upper end, so that when the pipe is once started it may easily slip off, It may also be of other form than circular in cross-section. a a a, &c., are grooves, preferably spiral, cut in the exterior of the metallic former, as shown. They are preferably separated by a land having about the same width as they themselves have, and through the bottom of these spiral grooves holes I) are bored into'the interior of the former at very frequent intervals. c is a perforated metallic plate, the perforations in which are quite fine and close together. It is placed close to the surface of the former B, resting upon the lands between the grooves. d is an exterior covering of cloth, which should preferably be tough and strong in texture. The upper end of the former B is closed by a head, as shown in Fig. 6, through the center of which there isahole,

1 the sides of which preferably taper from the exterior of the head inwardly, the inner opening being such that the rod H (see Fig. 3) will slide easily but not too loosely therein. As before stated, the former B is hollow and has an opening 0 at the bottom communicating through the blocks M and L and the link J with other openings or passages.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: Assuming that the former is withdrawn from the molding-cylinder, as shown in Fig. 1, and is in its horizontal position, the operator lifts the former B into a vertical position, during which act it swings upon the pivot K in the bifurcated end of the lifter I. (See Fig. 2.) The water is then let into the hydraulic cylinder 0 through the pipe D, moderately at first. As the cylinder is gradually'filled the plunger F is displaced and rises, carrying, by means of the cross-head G, lifter-rods H, and lifter I, the former B with it. As the former B slowly rises the lower end of the guide-rod H, (see Fig. 3,) which is preferably pointed for the purpose, is entered into the hole in the top of the former B. As soon as-it has entered therein the water is turned on full force through the inlet-pipe D of the hydraulic cylinder, thereby rapidlylifting the former into the moldingcylinder A, and when it reaches its uppermost position the cone-shaped enlargement I on the guiding-rod H, entering the conical hole in the end of the former B, accurately centers it, and also seals the said hole so that no pulp can enter it. Any suitable packing, preferably metallic, may be employed at this point, if desired. As soon as the former has reached its uppermost position the locking-ring S 'is rotated by the lever. V, thus engaging the camshaped locking-surfaces U of the ring with the hook W thereby firmly holding the former 'B in position in the molding-cylinder against the hydraulic pressure about to be exerted. vThe stop-cock J in the pulp-inlet pipe is then opened, and the pulp flows into sn1all,'in order that any foreign mattersuch as chips and the like.which may accidentally get into the pulp cannotenter the space between the former and the bag B, and also in order that the flow of the pulp may be smooth and uniform. The pressure of the infiowing pulp is sufficient to expand the bag B so that it shall practically rest against the inner wall of the molding-cylinder A through out, and on this accountI prefer to make this bag of rubber, since it should have considerable elasticity. As soon as the space between the bag and the former has been completely filled with pulp, which is determined by the partial cessation of the flow of water through the link J, (thus indicating that the inflow of pulp surcharged with water had ceased,) the stop-cock J is shut and the water in the pipe H which is under hydraulic pressure, is allowed to enter through that pipe into the space between the water-tight bag 13 and the inner walls of the molding-cylinder A. This of course generates hydraulic pressure upon the exterior of the bag and forces it inwardly toward the former B with substantially equal pressure and at substantially right angles to the resistance-in other words, the form er B at all points. During this operation the fibers of the pulp are compressed with great force into tubular form upon the exterior of the former B, the water contained in the pulp passing first through the strainer-cloth D, then through the perforations in the metallic plate 0, thence into the spiral grooves a and through the holes 1) into the interior of the former, thence through the opening 0 atits lower end, and through the openings in the plates M- and L, escaping finally through the hollow link J,-fiowing around the pivot on which it rocks. The pressure is continued as long as may be necessary, depending upon the character of the pulp employed and of the pipe desired. After the pressing operation has been completed the inflow of water through the pipe H is cut off and a cock in the draw-off pipe G is opened. The water then escapes from the space between the bag B and the inner walls of the molding-cylim' der A by passing through the perforated plate F into the annular space E, and thence out through the draw-01f pipe G. Any suitable air-inlet between the bag and the cylinder may be employed to break the vacuum and allow the outflow of the water after G. lVhen all the water has thus run off, the locking-ring 'S is. unlocked, the drawofi pipe'E at thebott-om'of the hydraulic cylinderC is opened more or less, as will be determined by the rapidity with which it is desired to withdraw the former with the tube on it from the molding-cylmder, and as the water". escapes from the hydraulic cylinder 0 the former B and all its coact-ing parts descend; When they have been entirely withdrawn from the molding-cylinder, the former, having the pipe upon it, is swung down into a horizontalpolsition and the pipe is withdrawn from'the former. It is then dried in any suitable or preferred manner, and when dry it becomes exceedingly hard and may have screw-threads cutin it. It may be turned down on its eX- terior. or bored out internally or used rough,

just as it comes from the machine, (lemmaing upon the degree of finish desired or the use to which it is to be put. It is preferably waterproofed or otherwise treated in any suitable manner before use.

If the pipe should stick to the cloth covering of the former, it may be loosened sufficiently to be withdrawn by tapping it with blocks of Wood about the size of an ordinary brick on its several sides. There will not be much jar of this character necessary, however.

I do not limit myself to the details of construction shown, since it is obvious that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention -as, for instance, the molding-cylinder may be made to move downward over the former instead of the former moving upwardly into the molding-cylinder; also, other means of drawing off the water from the various spaces or parts may be employed, and other means of confining the water-tight bag may be employed; also, the construction of the former may be very greatly altered from that shown. Nor do I limit myself to a vertically-operating apparatus. It may be arranged horizontally. I prefer, however, that during the construction of the pipe the former should be vertical.

There are many other changes which may be made in the apparatus without departing from my invention.

- I claim- I 1. The combination of a molding-cylinder provided with water inlet and outlet pipes, a removable former provided with locking mechanism whereby it may be held in position in the molding-cylinder, a guide for the former located on the interior of the molding cylinder, whereby the former is guided. during its insert-ion and removal from the molding-cylinder, a water-tight bag between the former and the. molding-cylinder, a pulp-inlet pipe opening into the space, between the former and the water-tight bag, and outlets for the water expressed from the pulp, .substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a molding-cylinder provided with water inlet and outlet pipes, a removable former provided with looking mechanism whereby it may be held in position in the molding-cylinder, a guide for the former located in the interior of the-moldingcylinder and having a downwardly-extending rod-like part which enters the former and guides it, and also. a tapering part near its upper end which centers the former When fully in place within the molding-cylinder, a water-tight bag'between the former and the molding-cylinder, a pulp-inlet pipe opening into the space between the former and the Water-tight bag, and outlets for the water ex- L pressed from the pulp, substantially as se't forth.

The combination of a moldingwyiinder, I a

the reception of the conical centering device, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a hydraulic lift, a molding-cylinder, a perforated former-hinged to the hydraulic lift, substantially as described, and having an opening in the upper end thereof, water inlet and outlet pipes for the molding-cylinder; a water-tight bag, a guid-ingdevice for the former during its movementin and outof the inolding-cylinder,waterescape passages from the interior 0212' the former, and means to lock the former in place Within the molding-cylinder,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

Signed at Mechanicsville, in the county @of Sara'toga and State of New York, this 11th day of January, A. D. 1889 HORACE J. MEDBERY.

Witnesses:

WM. W. SMITH, A. J. HARVEY. 

